Chrysothemis / Metropolitan Opera

“As Chrysothemis, Elza van den Heever was a revelation and arguably the scene-stealer of the night. Every time she opened her mouth, you just shifted all your attention and energy to her. It is a glorious sound that carries beautifully into the hall, no matter how demanding the orchestra is being in the moment. Every sound she uttered was ravishingly beautiful and she played up the legato singing that Strauss gives her character almost exclusively. There was arguably no passage more glorious than “Kinder will ich haben.” She stood up to the more wildly unpredictable Elektra throughout the night, never pulling away from a fight. It gave the character added dimension and a strong sense of internal conflict – she wants to help her sister and craves vengeance too, but she is not quite as extreme and won’t descend to the depths of murder to achieve those goals.”

“Speaking of fine, the South African soprano Elsa van den Heeveris riveting as Chrysothemis. Her soprano is bright and brilliant, and her Chrysothemis, a woman who longs for a normal life amidst murder, captivity and a whole lot of crazy, is wrenching.”

“Another performance of major stature came from soprano Elza van den Heever as Chrysothemis, Elektra’s sister, who is not just a simpering foil for her sibling–as she is often portrayed–but a woman who wants more than just revenge for her father’s murder. In her soaring, lyric voice, we hear her longing for a richer life, a fuller life and the joy of finding that her brother, Orest, is still alive and ready to carry out the revenge of the House of Atreus. The scenes between van den Heever and Goerke worked beautifully.”